Collapsible tube container



.June 22, 1943. w. E. AMBERG I COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CONTAINER Filed May 18, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 22, 1943. w E, AMBERG 2,322,213

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CONTAINER Filed May 18, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 22, 1943 COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CONTAINER Walter E. Amberg, Beverly Shores, Ind., assignor to Universal Paper Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 18, 1942, Serial N0. 443,436

8 Claims.

or rolled up in order to discharge their contents.

The discharge end is usually more rigid and is supplied with a screw cap or other type of top. The use of metals has a number of disadvantages, because metals are often scarce, relatively expensive, sometimes tend to discolor the contents of the tube, and do not readily lend themselves to the necessary printing which is usually applied to toothpaste tubes and the like.

The use of various types of tubes in which paper or other flexible materials besides metals have formed the body of the tube has been suggested, but tubes of this type have not been commercially successful. One of the principal problems in using a paper tube is the, difficulty of securing a proper juncture between the tube and the head of the container which must be of a more rigid material.

One of the objects of this invention is to\provide a new and improved type of collapsible tube container in which the body of the container is made from paper or other similar flexible material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved type of collapsible tube container in which all parts thereof are non-metallic.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved type of collapsible tube container characterized by a novel type of construction'for joining the body of the container to the head portion.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved type of collapsible tube container which will meet all of the requirements of commercial usage and at the same time can be prepared simply and economically in relatively large quantities without utilizing metals in the structure of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method for assembling a container of the collapsible tube type.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a collapsible tube container of the type covered by this invention, showing in section the position of the head elements and of the tubular body before the container is formed;

Figure 2 shows the container as it appears after the component parts have been assembled;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of a modification of the container shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate two difierent methods of forming the plaits on the annular flange of the tubular body:

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the line 5-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken through the line of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular paper or paper-like body portion, showing a preferred structure in which a convolute tube, or a tube having a plurality of laminations, is employed;

Figure 9 illustrates a variation of Figure 8 in which continuous layers of waterproofing, vaporproofing and/or greaseproofing materials are disposed between the laminations or convolutions of the plies of the paper which form the body of the tube;

Figures 10 through 22 illustrate variations or modifications of the head structure of the tube, hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to Figure 1, as shown, the body 2 is substantially tubular and is formed of paper or other flexible sheet material, For convenience, this has been shown as a single thickness of material but it will be understood that this tubular body portion may have a plurality of thicknesses of material, for example, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The tubular body 2 has an inwardly directed annular flange 4. This flange is formed by folding the material into flat folds or plaits. These plaits may be of different types, for example, such as the knife plaits 6, shown in Figures 4 and 6, or the box plaits 8, shown in Figures 5 and 'I. It will be understood that other types of plaits can be used to take up the excess of paper which is necessarily present when the flange is formed.

The flange 4 is characterized generally .by a substantial uniformity of paper near the peripheral edge l0 (Figure 1) and an increasing bulk or irregularity as the flange continues in an inward direction toward its inner edge l2.

As shown in Figure 1, according to one form of the invention, the flange is placed between a plurality of head elements generally indicated by the numerals l4 and I8. In this particular embodiment the head element l4 comprises a neck portion 18 provided with screw threads 20 and a cap or top 22. such as shown in Figure 2. The lower part of the head element H has an annular flange 24 with a concave or dished face 26. The opening 28 is provided to permit the contents of the tube to be dispensed. Between the flange 24 and the threaded cap portion 20 a series of latching or locking threads or rings 30 is provided which are adapted to mesh or engage with complemental threads or annular rings 32 on the other head member I 3. The head member l6. as shown in Figure 1, also has a dished face 34, which opposes the dished face 26 of the flange 24.

It will be understood that the tips of the meshing elements 30 and 32 touch each other with no clearance or Just enough clearance to permit the teeth 32 of the annular head member 13 to be forced over and into meshing engagement with the teeth 30 of the head member I 4. For the purpose of illustration, however, and for the sake of clarity, in the drawing the teeth 30 and 32 are shown somewhat more separated than they would be in actual practice. The locking arrangement here may be described generically as a tooth lock.

The head members l4 and I6 are preferably constructed of -a molded resinous material of which many different types are available and which should preferably have a slight resiliency for reasons which will be hereinafter explained. Among the materials which may be used for this purpose are the phenolic condensation products, such as Bakelite, and many other types of thermosetting resins, and other types of resinous condensation products of the thermoplastic type, such as, for example, Saran (a vinylidene chloride condensation product 'of the Dow Chemical Company). Many other specific types of such materials are known and can be used for forming the head members. These materials have special advantages over metals, because of the scarcity of the latter and because metals in certain instances tend to contaminate, discolor or otherwise ailect the contents of the tube.

The tube is formed by pressing the annular element l6 downwardly while holding the flange 24 of the element l4 against movement until the ratchet teeth 30 and 32 engage on mesh with each other or by pressing the element l4 upwardly while holding the annular element l6 until a similar engagement of the ratchet teeth 30 and 32 occurs. This tends to cause the face l2 of the flange 24 and the face 34 of the flanged element IE to seek a mean plane, or to approach planes which are generally parallel to each other, as H- lustrated by Figure 2. Actually, the planes of the two faces cannot be parallel unless the bulk of the paper which forms the plaits of the flange 4 is greatly compressed. The invention contemplates that planes through the faces 26 and 34 of the elements l4 and I6, respectively, will still be slightly dished with respect to each other, but in any event, a major part of the force or pressure which clamps the flange 4 between the head members I4 and i6 is concentrated near the outer edge ill of the flange 4. This is a desirable and important feature of the invention because at this point the paper has a maximum uniformity and a minimum thickness, whereas, as the flange continues inwardly, the thickness and irregularity both increase.

In the forms of the invention shown in Figures 15 1 and 2, the meshing of the teeth 30 and 32 holds the head members l4 and I3 in place due to the resiliency of these elements, plus the fact that they are sprung from their initial dished formation while at the same time the inner diameter of the annular element I8 is decreased. Thus, if

the point a 38 may be regarded as a fulcrum. the maximum leverage is exerted against the teeth 30 and 32, or alternatively, if the teeth 30 and 32 are regarded as the fulcrum, the maximum leverage is exerted against the paper flange 4 adjacent its outer periphery i0. Thus, the pressure caused by pressing together the two head elements l4 and I6 is concentrated in the two areas where it is needed most, (1) adjacent the peripheral edge I 0 of the flange 4, and (2) at the Juncture of the intermeshed latching teeth 30 and 32.

In Figure 3 the structure shown is somewhat different from that shown in Figure 1 and 2 in that the head element generally indicated at 38 and which corresponds generally to the head element ll of Figures 1 and 2, is provided with an annular flange 40 longitudinally intermediate of the neck. 42. ,The teeth or threads 44 and 46 which correspond respectively to the teeth 39 and 32 of Figure 1 are intermeshed in a similar manner, except that the other head element 48, which corresponds generally to the element l6 of Figure 1, is disposed inside instead of outside of the paper flange 4. It will be understood-that the flanged elements 40 and 48 are both dished in a manner similar to the elements 24 and I6 of Figure l, and that the method of construction is similar except for the reversed arrangement of parts.

As shown in Figure 8, the tubular body 2 is preferably formed from more than one lamination or ply of paper, or other sheet-like material. Thus, in Figure 8, there are three plies of paper indicated by the letters, a, b and 0. These plies are held together by an adhesive, or in any other suitable manner. The surface of the innermost ply is preferably coated with a moistureproofing, greaseprooflng and/or vaporprooflng fllm such as a resin or other suitable material generally indicated at d. The outermost surface of the tube may also be coated with any suitable type of coating composition, as generally indicated at 0. Likewise, it will be understood that a coating or layer of a moistureproofing, greaseprooflng and/or vaporprooflng material may be applied between the convolutions or laminations, as indicated by the layers or coatings f and g in Figure 9. These layers may be in the form of a continuous film, such as a wax or resin film. The coatings on the inside and outside of the tubular body, as well as the intermediate coatings, or both, may be applied before, during or after the winding or rolling of the tube. The tube may also be molded into the desired shape.

In Figure 10 a modified form of construction is shown in which the construction is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, except that instead of a plurality of teeth 30 and 32, a single projection 50 is provided in the neck element 52 so that when the dished resilient washer 54 is pressed into place in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, it slides under the projection 50 and is held in place by its own resilience coupled with that of the flanged portion 58, which before being assembled, is dished in a similar manner to the flanged element 24 of Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 11 the structure is similar to that described with reference to Figure 1 except that the locking means generally indicated by numeral 58 comprises annular rings having a predetermined pitch which is a multiple of the pitch of the cap threads 60. Thus, if the cap threads have a 16 pitch, the annular rings have a 32 pitch. At least one of the head elements 62 or 64 is dished in the same manner as described with respect to Figure 1.

In Figure 12 the construction is the same as in Figure 11 except that the locking elements 66 are composed of compound threads, that is to say, threads which are compounded with respect to the cap threads 68. Thus, if the cap threads are a 16 pitch, the compound threads 65 are also a 16 pitch but are doubled in number. As in Figures and 11, at least one of the head elements I0 and I2 i dished and the manner of assembly, that is, by pressing the head elements together longitudinally, is substantially the same as previously described.

In the variations previously described, the locking together of the two head elements relies upon the use of a particular class of material which is resilient and employs two motions, one, the springing of the flanges, and the other the changing of their inner diameters. This arrangement is particularly useful because it permits the concentration of the forces holding the flange of the tubular body in a limited area and longitudinally with respect to said body. Furthermore, the method of assembly does not involve any twisting (rotating) motion which might serve to distort or destroythe flange of the tubular body.

Instead of springing the head elements into place in the manner previously described, it is also possible to hold them by means of a threaded nut which constitutes a third element. This type of structure is illustrated in Figures 13 and to 17, inclusive. In Figure 13 the nut I4 is adapted to engage with the threads I6, which in turn are formed in the neck portion I8 and are preferably of a greater diameter than the cap screw threads 80. as shown, in order that the nut I4 may be easily slipped over the cap screw threads 80. The pitch of the nut threads I6, as compared with those of the cap threads 80, is immaterial. In this type of construction the outer member 82 of the head and the inner member 84 are preferably dished (either one or both) in the manner previously described so as to concentrate the clamping force on the edge of the paperand at the same time to assist in locking the nut I4.

In Figure 14 the structure is similar to that previously described with respect to Figure 1, except that a projection 86 is provided in order to assist in holding the flange 4 of the tubular body 2 at a point slightly inward from the outer edge. The manner of construction is otherwise the same as that previously described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 15 the outer element 88 is provided with a depending flange 90 and the inner element 92 is provided with a recess 94, complemental to the flange 90 of the element 88. The flange 4 of the paper is thereby contoured in the manner shown. The elements 88 and 92 are held in place by a nut 96 in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figure 13.

Figure 16 illustrates a diiferent type of structure in which the outer element 98 is provided with a projection I00 which is adapted to fit in a recess I02 of the inner element I04 positioned somewhat inwardly from the edge ID of flange 4. This has a tendency to concentrate the clamping force at the junction of the annular projection 4 I00 and its complemental annular; recess I02.

The outer and inner members 98 and I04, respectively, are held in place by a nut I06 and one or both of them are-dished in the manner previously described.

Figure 17 illustrates a variation of Figure 16 in which the annular projecting portion I08 of the outer element H0 is disposed at the base of the neck H2 and fits into an annular recess- H4 in the inner element I I6. In this case also either one or both of the elements I I0 and I I6 is preferably dished. However, here the resilience of the paper coupled with the position of the annular projection I08 and its complemental recess II4 will have a tendency to lock the assembly, including the lock nut I I8, in place.

Figures 18 to 21, inclusive, illustrate a difl'erent type of locking element whereby a dished washer is usedwhich when straightened out or inverted under pressure changes its diameter and thus clamps the neck and holds the spring flanges'of the head elements in their pressed relationship. Figure 18 is similar to Figure 1 in that it illustrates the relationship of the parts before assembly. As shown, the parts comprise a flanged inner head member I20 dished in the manner described, an annular outer head member I22, which is also dished as previously described, and a ductile washer I24 dished in the opposite direction to the annular member I22. As shown in Figure 19, a sufficient recess I26 is provided beneath the threads or similar projections I28 so that when the washer' I24 is pressed longitudinally it will slide into this recess I26 and will seat therein in the manner shown in Figure 20, and at the same time will hold in place the head elements I20 and I22. A generally similar arrangement is shown in Figure 21 except that the washer I30 is provided with inwardly directed teeth I32 which are adapted to sink into the neck portion I34, because the washer is constructed of a relatively harder material. In this case it is not necessary to leave a recess or space I26, such as is shown in Figure 19. The construction of the washer I24 is illustrated in Figure 22 where it is shown with parts broken away.

From the foregoing description it will be recognized that the invention involves a number of features. By forming the tubular body member of paper or other similar flexible sheet material and by making the head closure from a molded non-metallic substance of substantial rigidity, such as a resin, new and improved containers are provided in which none of the component parts is formed of a metal. Thus, the necessity for using metals, which are scarce, expensive and have other disadvantages, is avoided. In certain embodiments previously described, where a third element is employed in the head structure of the tube, as, for example, a nut to hold the other two members in place, this element may or may not be formed of a metal. This type of structure which relies upon a third or auxiliary element for holding together the component parts of the head. does not necessarily require that the other two component parts which clamp the paper between them'shall be dished or resilient, but even here, as previously explained, it is preferable that at least one of these parts, either the inner or the outer member, should be dished and resilient because this type of structure not only tends to concentrate the clamping force against the paper in a predetermined limited area,

but also assists in looking the nut or other auxiliary member in place.

The structures of the containers provided in accordance with th invention and the method of assembly are such that there is a minimum amount of twisting or distortion of the paper at the juncture of the paper tube and the head closure. In other words, the inturned flange of the tubular body is clamped with clamping means which are not rotated or are non-rotatable during the clamping operation and the means 'for locking the clamped elements together do not require a rotation of any parts which are in contact with the inturned flange of the tubular body; hence, to this extent, the locking means may be described as non-rotatable, even though in some embodiments of the invention a third element is used which itself is rotatable but without causing rotation of elements actually in contact with theinturned flange. Furthermore, the clamping forces exerted by the head members against the annular flange of the tubular body of the tube are directed largely in a longitudinal direction, as distinguished, for example, from that type of structure in which the top of the tube is held by forces mainly directed in a transverse or sidewise direction.- The type of structure herein described has a greater tendency to resist the stresses normally present when the flexible body of the tube is rolled up during usage and there is less tendency for the body of the tube to separate from the head.

The term resilient is employed throughout the specification and claims to describe a body or material which tends to return to or resume its original position or shape after being deformed. The term bored is used herein in its generic sense as meaning provided with a hole or opening regardless of how it is formed.

As will be understood from the disclosure herein where certain elements are described as having opposed surfaces at least one of which is dished with respect to the other," this expression is employed to describe the angularity between two surfaces whereby the space between them increases from the outside toward the center as shown, for xample, in Figure 1.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a collapsible container, a substantially tubular body, an inturned flange upon one end of said body, and a head therefor comprising an inner member bored to provide an outlet from said body, an outer member surrounding a portion of said inner member, means to lock said members together, and a horizontal portion upon each of said members having opposing surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being initially dished with respect to the other and non-rotatably clamping the body flange between them.

2. In a container of the class described, the combination of, a tubular body of flexible sheet material having an annular inwardly directed flange at its outlet and formed from plaited plies of the material, said plaited plies beginning near the outer edge of the flange and extending inwardly, and a head for said outlet end comprising non-rotatable clamping means for clamping opposite sides of said flange in which the clamping force is directed in a generally longitudinal direction with respect to the tubular body and is concentrated near the beginning of the plaits where the thickness of the material is at a minimum, said clamping means comprising a pair of opposing surfaces at least one of which is resilient and dished with respect to the other.

3. In a container of the class described, the combination of, a substantially tubular body of flexible sheet material having an annular inwardly directed flange at its outlet end, and a head therefor having a dispensing opening therein and comprising non-rotatable clamping means for clamping opposite sides of said body flange in which the'clamping force is exerted solely against the flange in a direction longitudinal or the body and a major portion of the clamping force is concentrated in a limited annular area adjacent the periphery of the flange.

4. In a collapsible container, a collapsible substantially tubular body, an in-turned flange upon one end of said body, and a head therefor comprising an outlet member bored to provide an outlet from said body, another member surrounding a portion of said outlet member, means to lock said members together, and clamping portions upon the respective members having opposing'surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being initially dished and resilient with respect to the other, said surfaces constituting a spring clamp bearing longitudinally of the tubular body on opposite sides of the in-turned body flange adjacent the periphery thereof.

5. In a collapsible container, the combination of a substantially tubular collapsible body having an annular inwardly directed flange at its outlet end, and a head for said outlet end. said head comprising a neck member having an annular outwardly directed flange thereon and an annular head member coaxially disposed with respect to said neck member and substantially coextensive with said neck member flange, at least one opposing surface of said neck member flange and said annular head member being initially dished with respect to the other, said surfaces when pressed together axially tending to yield resiliently one with respect to the other, and means for locking said surfaces together with the flange of said tubular body clamped between them whereby said dished surface tends to seek a mean plane and is held against its own resiliency while at the same time acting as a spring clamp and concentrating a major portion of the clamping force adjacent the peripheral edge of the body flange.

6. In a collapsible container, a collapsible substantially tubular body, an in-turned flange upon one end of said body, and a head therefor comprising an outlet member bored to provide an outlet from said body, another member surrounding a portion of said outlet member, locking means to lock said members together, said looking means comprising intermeshing teeth on the exterior of said outlet member and the interior of said member surrounding said outlet member, and clamping portions upon the respective members having opposing surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being initially dished and resilient with respect to the other, said surfaces constituting a spring clamp bearing longitudinally of the tubular body on opposite sides of the in-turned body flange adjacent the periphery thereof,

7. In a collapsible container, a collapsible substantially tubular body, an in-turned flange upon one end of said body, and a head therefor comprising an outlet member bored to provide an outlet from said body, another member surrounding a portion of said outlet member, looking means to lock said members together, and

clamping portions upon the respective members having opposing surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being initially dished and resilient with respect to the other, said surfaces constituting a spring clamp bearing longitudinally of the tubular body on opposite sides of the in-turned body flange adjacent the periphery thereof, said locking means comprising a third member consisting of a nut threaded on said outlet member and bearing against said member surrounding said 10 outlet member.

8. In a collapsible container, a, collapsible substantially tubular body, an in-turned flange upon one end of said body, and a head therefor comprising an outlet member bored to provide an 15 outlet from said body, another member surroundof teeth on the interior of said washer indenting said outlet member.

WALTER E. AMBERG. 

